The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-17
A CONFLICT OF LEADERSHIP
Two Prominent ProhibitiOnists Take
Tilt at Each Other in Secret Circulars.
the Party According to His Own Ideas
Causes Trouble for Himself.


represented small one, which believes in all
the details of political machinery and the crack
ing, whenever necessary, of the party lash. It's
policy is to nominate candidates for every Office,
from constable up to the top of the official list.
no matter whether two City votes avail
able in any one locality. The wiser heads of
the organization do not hold to their views. It
is their idea that without some show of sub
stantial support it is better to let the nomna-
tons 60 by default allowing the Prohibitionists
to vote for whom they please. Last fall in the
Tenth congressional district, the two policies
came in conflict and caused considerable contro-
versy. The machine faction, as leading Pro-
hibitionist assented in terming it yester-
day, desired to have candidate for
Congress in the field, while
majority of their party associates
thought it best to indorse w. D. Owen, the Re-
publican nominee The difference of opinion
caused some heated expressions and lively
contest to have the State central committee
take one side or the other. The committeeman,
however, considered the question one over
which they had no jurisdiction. They took
formal action on it, for il believed that, the
majority against any interference in local at-
fairs being strong, it would be unnecessary to
call a meeting for that purpose. 1t was through
Sylvester Johnson, the committees secretary.
that the members expressed their opinion. He
wrote to the representatives of both factions in
tho Tenth district that they must settle their
differences among themselves, the policy OF
the State central committee was uon-interfer-
ence.
The Phalanx, the organ of the party, was at
that time being edited by DR.. ]. G.. L. Myers.
Week after week he urged in the editorial col
umns the nomination of candidate against
Owen and the Democratic nominee This
course was not approved by the directing board
Of the Phalanx They belonged to the liberal
wing OF the party, aud upheld the committees
action of non-interserence. Dr. Myers, it is
the paper to suit his own views He became SO
intractable that he lost his place. That was a
year ago. He thought himself great leader,
said q prominent Prohibtionist, yesterday. land
had ambition to manage the party's affairs
suit his own purposes. His policy was to have
a nominee for every office, and then crack the
lash over the Prohibitionsts in compelling them
to support the ticket, whether it was objection
able or not | am not that kind of partisan.
If q Prohibition candidate does not suit me, 1
will vote for somebody else The consequence
was that Myers and his clique. being opposed by
the more liberal and cautious men of the organ
lzation, lost his place as editor of the Phalanx.
He now has grievance
About the time the national committee met IN
Chicago secret circular appeared among the
leading Prohibitonists OF the State. Its
thorship is attributed to Myers and j. B. Jacques.
but copies OF 1t now are exceedingly rare, for it
is said all have been gathered In, burned or 9TH
erwlse destroyed The persons to whom they
were addressed made way with them. Myers
and Jaqnes, as representatives OF the radical
faction, in this circular arraigned Sylvester
Johnson for disloyalty to the party. They
threw upon him the responsibility of the Prohi-
candidate in the Tenth district, and charged
him with ccnniving with the Republicans in ad-
vancing Owens candidacy. This was the bur
den of the circular, with the further charge that
Mr.. johnson had often voted for candidates who
were not Prohibittonists and that he had used
his Office as secretary of the State central COM
mittee to advance himself in the psrtys cour-
ellis and MANAGEMENT. ~
In regard to these charges Mr.. johnson said.
yesterday: Il issued a circular in reply, setting
forth my position relative to the Tenth district
controversy. / have cory with me. but its
substance was that the committee believed. as
had ascertained from communication with its
members, the Tenth district Prohbtionists
ought to settle their own affairs, and that the
committee would pursue in this case, as in all
others of like character that might arise, pol
icy of non-interference. 1 charged with
holding n cons utation with Mr.. Owen. One
time during the canvass he came here and met
him accidentally ct the Bates House. when
Elder Wallace. OF kokomo. called my attention
to his presence. He asked me II would like to
be introduced to Owen, and from that
duain lance began. There was no fixed engage
ment to meet him. nor did know he was in the
city until Elder Wallace spoke to me about it.
Owen was satisfactory to q majority of the Pro-
hibitionists in his district because ne is tenn
perance man and favors the Blair BILL Nothing
could be gained By nominating third candi-
date. The Myers circular in charging me with
voting for candidates who are not Prohibition
lists is not altogether true. but / admit l voted
for Byron K Elliot for Judge of the Supreme
Court. / was appointed TO represent the State
on the national committee because desired to
bring the convention to this city, and | believed
I could do to effect that purpose
member of the committee than outsider.
/ am office-seeker. desire none and am Pro
hibitoniss from principle not for partisan
ends"
Since leaving the Phalanx, DR.. Myers has
made his home in Bloominedae. Parke county.
The response of Mr. johnson to his circular il
is said has caused him 10 keep quiet, as the
Prohbirionists throughout the State have
largely Endorsed the position taken by their
com mittee in regard to nominations.